Stop. Don't Think. Just Love.

Saturday, March 31, 2018

Is there anything more satisfying than beginning the month on a Sunday? Nope, just me? Ok then...

Well, regardless of that, I can't believe this is the last day of March! It's finally starting to feel like spring (though I really don't want to jinx that), Michigan is in the Final Four, and Easter is tomorrow...what a weekend!

Reading: Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie. A powerful, engaging, timely, heart-wrenching read. The author draws you in with the stories of individuals while commenting on the tragedies of the world in which we live from a range of perspectives. HIGHLY recommend.

Listening: Spotify's "Have a Great Day!" playlists has been going strong in my apartment-and on my walks. It is just so fun!

Watching: Dad and I went to see A Wrinkle in Time last week. I loved the book as a child, and still do as an adult. I'm often disappointed with movie adaptations, and of course this was far from perfect. However, it really held true to the most important parts of the book and the messages that are so meaningful for everyone, but especially the girls who can identify with Meg.

Saturday, March 24, 2018

I'm sure you can all guess why I missed last week...and you'd be right! Michelle and I decided to actually "do" St. Patrick's Day and met up with Ace, Marco, and Alex to celebrate during the day. Alex and I both had child-related commitments Sunday morning, so we decided to ensure we ended the night early...which meant starting at an appropriate time! We had a lot of fun, and Michelle and I (along with Dad) still managed to do well and have fun at the St. Patrick's Day 5k at my work the next morning.

This week, I was very sad to miss the March for Our Lives-unfortunately, I had to work at the exact time it was taking place. I remain wildly inspired by all the young people who are working so hard to change adults who are supposed to guide and keep them safe.

Reading: Tempests and Slaughterby Tamora Pierce. I have loved her books since I was in middle school and they continue to be amazing. I love young adult novels, especially those with good representation, important messages, and excellent story telling!

Listening: all the interviews and speeches from the youth leading the March for Our Lives and the related movement.

Watching: Nothing new...just one episode left of the latest season of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. I'm so sad it's about to be over again!

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Lots of early mornings for me this week...the friends and family sale is happening at Athleta right now, so lots to do before we open each day!

Recent...

Reading: my friend Molly lent me Robin Sloan's Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore and I happened to check out another book by the same author, Sourdough, without realizing it! I'm still in the first, but finished the second, and am loving them. His writing style is very clever, and both books seem to acknowledge the importance of technology while still holding reverence for the "old ways" of doing things (reading/research and baking, respectively).

Listening: Burnt Toast (Food52's podcast) is back! Their first episode of the season is about food fights-a nice lighthearted contrast with so many heavier topics I deal with daily.

Watching: Aaaand Crazy Ex-Girlfriend season 3 is on Netflix! I'm trying to ration them out, but it's hard...I had originally so opposed watching this show and now love it. Check it out, especially if you love musicals/sarcasm/feminist takes.

Listening: Brandi Carlile's new album, By the Way, I Forgive You. Gorgeous and powerful as always. I even bought it rather than just using Spotify!

Watching: I went with Dad and Michelle to see Black Panther-it was amazing. I have way more to say about it, so I really need to get a whole post about just it going, but suffice to say that you need to see it immediately. I want to go again!

Listening: the Fearless Rebelle Radio podcast. I know I mentioned it before, but I just can't get over how amazing it is! This week Summer interviewed Tiana Dodson and she had some powerful words: "when I can see myself as someone of value, I can see everyone else as valuable". This was in the context of fat acceptance/activism, but 100% applies in all facets of life. LOVED IT.

Watching: Is it too embarrassing to admit I've been watching Pretty Little Liars? I needed another mindless-ish, pretty show to play in the background when I'm cooking, cleaning, etc. and it fit the bill...Highly problematic but oh so entertaining.

Friday, February 9, 2018

Wow, I did not mean to post an intense piece and then disappear for weeks...time really got away from me! I've been working nonstop, it seems-and the little bit of time I'm not working I've been trying to see more of my friends. I need to find a balance, but dang that's hard...

I originally wrote this post at the start of January, was going to post it, then had to write about that sermon. Then I apparently just didn't post for almost 3 week. So obviously I've already been working on these goals...

It seems that I'm in the same mindset as many people out there-resolutions just don't work for me. The minute I'm not following it, I feel like I've failed and I give up on it entirely. As a social worker, of course I'm big on reframing-so I decided to do that with resolutions and make them into goals instead! As goals, I can consider them as points to work toward, as opposed to immediate stagnant changes, and think of each time I act in line with them as progress, instead of each time I slip up as failure. I can also add new ones at any time! However, some things never change-and accountability is huge, so here were go.

1. Do the 30 days of Yoga with Adriene's True program. Note: I did it! It felt amazing to make that a priority. While I haven't continued to do yoga every day since that ended, I've definitely been doing it more and I can feel it.

2. Try my best to take breaks at work. At Athleta, I'm forced to do so, and have noticed how great it feels to reset partway through the day. Doing the daily yoga practice from my first goal during the workday is a great way to actually take it!

3. Continue to go to Bar Method as much as possible. I love the workouts and the people-while it took me some time, I really feel a part of the community. I hit 250 classes just before the New Year and am excited to continue toward 500!

4. Stay away from gossip/negative talk about others. It's way too easy to get pulled into it. Whether it's someone in my professional life, an ex, or just a person I interact with in my life out and about, it's never actually helpful.

5. Cook vegan. I'll still use up what I already had at home (honey, etc.) because I'm not trying to be wasteful, and when I go out to eat I will enjoy my beloved cheese, but at home it's plant-based all the way. Going vegan is something I've debated for a long time and struggled with (honestly, mainly because of how much I love all cheese-based dishes). However, it's in line with all the reasons I became vegetarian over 15 years ago. Opposing animal cruelty, eating more nutritiously-and yes, I know Oreos are vegan, but most of the junk I enjoy is not-reducing my impact on the environment are all incentives to be at least more vegan than not.

6. Take breaks...not just at work. If you know me, you may have noticed my slight obsessive tendencies (see Bar Method goal above?) and do not like to feel like I can't do something-miss a day of barre when I have time to go, not hit my 10,000 steps, have an actual day off from both jobs, cancel social plans when I'm just too wiped out...recently I had a day where I actually let myself be lazy. It was a little weird, almost anxiety-provoking, but so. good. I did yoga at home, then drove to Providence and only left the couch to go out to eat (twice, ha).

7. Get the damn boxes out of my apartment. I moved in April and have boxes just sitting that I clearly don't need anything from-so I need to sort, store, donate, and toss. It will feel so much better!

8. Prioritize the relationships in my life as much as I do everything else. I am terrible at staying in touch with people I don't see regularly (also, I need to reframe this) and often make my extroverted-introvert excuse to stay in. But I love my people and need them to know this!

What goals do you have? Are they new, ongoing, shifting? Let me know, and good luck!